Purified water, organic lemons, grade-B maple syrup and cayenne pepper -- the ingredients of the Master Cleanse lemonade -- are the only calories and source of nutrients you consume on Stanley Burroughs' famous detox diet. Grade-A maple syrup may be used, says Burroughs, but grade B is preferred because it's less refined and contains more nutrients. Always consult your doctor before beginning any detox diet.
The Master Cleanse
"The Master Cleanse," written by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s, is a detoxification and weight-loss program that claims to cure almost any disease. Burroughs believed that "cleansing is basic for elimination of every kind of disease," all of which were caused by "the habits of improper diet, inadequate exercise, negative mental attitudes and lack of spiritual attunement." The cleanse includes a morning saltwater flush that involves drinking a quart of saltwater, an evening cup of laxative tea and between 6 and 12 glasses of his lemonade mixture each day. Burroughs recommends you follow his program for at least 10 days and up to 40 days.
The Lemonade
The lemonade drink is made from 8 oz. purified water, 2 tbsp. grade-B maple syrup, 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice -- about the juice of half a lemon -- and 1/10 tsp. ground cayenne pepper. The lemon juice works to break up mucus and congestion, the cayenne pepper speeds metabolism and the maple syrup provides much-needed energy and nutrients; in fact, maple syrup provides almost all the calories you consume on the Master Cleanse plan. Burroughs is specific about preferring grade-B maple syrup but says grade A "is more expensive and less desirable, but it may be used."
Maple Syrup Grades
Maple syrup comes in three grades: A, B and C. Grade C is the least refined and most mineral-dense but has a very strong taste, which Burroughs notes that some people find "slightly less pleasant" than other grades. Grade-B syrup strikes the ideal balance of taste and mineral content for the lemonade drink. Grade-A syrup is the most mild-tasting syrup, has been refined and processed the most, and is the most expensive of the three.
Nutrtional Information
Two tablespoons of maple syrup contain about 120 calories; regardless of grade, the sugar content is the same. The darker the syrup, the richer the mineral content. There is no protein, only trace amounts of fat and no fiber in maple syrup. There are also no vitamins in maple syrup; all of your vitamins come from lemon juice on the Cleanse. Maple syrup is a rich source of manganese; it also contains some zinc, calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium.
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